Topic of the Evening: What do you look for in a place to party or hangout?

It's Friday night and another week is in the bag. It's time to get loose, smile, laugh, mingle with friends and make memories happen. For some it takes a cool, laid back scene where martini's and soda are flowing. For others, it could mean loud thumping music with a crowd of attractive socialites hitting it hard. 

So for tonight's question...Is your party or social hangout scene meeting your needs? What is it that you look for inorder to have a good time out? 

Topic of the Afternoon: Outlook on the Economy

I know everyone is tired of hearing the news discussing how we are in dire straights and that the World is going to hell in a handbasket. Let's personalize this discussion. I know for some it's a difficult subject to speak about, but the purpose of this discussion is to get views out there and hopefully to help one another network to a better situation. Waiting for our Government's policies to trickle down are taking forever and a day. Here are a few questions:

1) How do you feel about the economy?

2) How has your household navigated through this current recession? (i.e. Cutback on spending, travel, etc)

3) Do you think the media coverage has been overkill, just right or not enough?

Feel free to pose other questions within your responses.